Association’s record points to missions emphasis

Participation in missions is “a very important part of being a church in the minds of the people” of Colbert and Lauderdale counties, said Jim Warren, director of missions (DOM) for Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association.
   
The area’s record of 10 ministers who have committed themselves to associational missions work would seem to point to the emphasis churches there place on missions.
   
Warren, who served as campus minister of the University of North Alabama (UNA) for 18 years before assuming his current position in 1989, said missions assure “local churches not only hear about the importance of the Great Commission, but their members proclaim the good news in Alabama, the United States and around the world.”
   
Besides Warren, there are seven other ministers from the association who are currently serving or have served as DOMs with Alabama associations, in addition to two in Tennessee: C.W. Hunter, Cleburne Association; Larry Dover, Franklin Association; Kenneth Hale, Dale Association; Gene Walley, Bethel Association; Ed Cruce, Bessemer Association; Ben Edmondson, Limestone Association; Richard Crowe, Coffee Association; Jody Gamble, Maury Association (Tennessee); Larry Smart, Lawrence Association (Tennessee).
   
The DOMs agreed the Colbert-Lauderdale Association models Great Commission ministry and servant-hearted leadership.
   
Before their call to associational missions work, most of them served as pastors of churches in the association, including congregations such as Highland; Woodmont; First, Sheffield; Forest Hills; First, Cherokee; Weeden Heights; Colbert Heights; Hampton Heights; Leighton and New Gamble.
   
Warren believes involvement with an association creates opportunities for pastors and congregations to fulfill the Great Commission through cooperation.
   
The Colbert-Lauderdale Association sponsors a missionary home that provides housing for missionaries on stateside assignment.
   
The association also encourages participation in North American missions projects sponsored by the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
   
International ministry is also a priority to the association. Recent missions projects were conducted in Sweden, Indonesia, Wales, Brazil, Romania and Spain.
   
Through associational involvement in student ministry, UNA sends one of the largest numbers of student missionaries in Alabama to service in the United States and abroad. 
   
The past and present leadership of the association has been instrumental in emphasizing the importance of missions.
   
Through observing Warren’s passion for campus and associational ministry, Dover said his call to missions work has been challenged and strengthened.
   
Dover described Warren as a confidant who gives sound advice on how to assist a struggling church and the wisdom to know when to offer that support.
   
Crowe cited the “wonderful record of leadership” as the key to the association’s missions-hearted approach to ministry.
   
Cruce said Tommy Ingle, former DOM of Colbert Lauderdale, gave him an understanding of “what associational missions could be through his emphasis on planning and visioning.”
   
Likewise, Hunter points to Earl Trent, former DOM of Colbert-Lauderdale, as having “a profound impact on opening our eyes to missions as he guided us to help churches in need.”